A Humane Education Curriculum For Grades K–5
Mow Wow Animals is an online learning program in humane education.
Did you say mow wow? Yes!
Mow Wow is a New Animal in Humane Education.
The Mow Wow Animals online teaching program recognizes the natural affinity that children have for animals. It is designed to activate students’ imagination as they learn about animals and the world around them and to encourage values of respect and compassion. The bilingual K–5, lessons are infused with stories from world cultures, poetry, short videos, and hands-on enrichment activities.
Why Mow Wow?
- Provides our youth with an ethical framework to create a more caring society
- Aligns with K–5 content standards in language arts, science, and social studies
- Supports the California Code of Education’s Character Education requirement
- Encourages hands-on learning in digital research, peer learning, and community interaction
- Supplies teachers with an easy-to-use, adaptable humane education curriculum
Education Code of the
California Department of Education
Americans have long recognized the need for kindness toward animals. In acknowledgment of this need, the California Department of Education has included in its Education Code a requirement that students be taught to view animals with compassion and to grant them the same dignity they would human beings. Section 233.5(a) of the code reads in part:
Each teacher shall endeavor to impress upon the minds of the pupils the principles of morality, truth, justice, patriotism, and a true comprehension of the rights, duties, and dignity of American citizenship, and the meaning of equality and human dignity, including the promotion of harmonious relations, kindness toward domestic pets and the humane treatment of living creatures.
This farsighted code regards the humane treatment of animals as one aspect of the broader ethic of good citizenship—the responsibility of each of us toward others who live in our society, including the animals with whom we share our environment. The code also understands that when we fail to treat animals kindly and responsibly, we undermine not only their rights as living creatures but our own dignity as human beings.
Many children gain emotional support & develop empathy from a connection with animals who love them unconditionally.
Yvonne Gavre / Founding Director, Buen Dia Family School, San Francisco
I commend and support their humane initiatives… they have opened a dialogue and path of action for a kinder society.
California Assemblymember Kevin Mullin / Twenty-Second District, San Mateo
To get started, click on the level below that fits your grade level:
The Mow Wow Animals humane education curriculum is divided into two grade levels. Each level contains three distinct units. The unit lesson can be used as an independent teaching tool or used to enhance existing curriculum. Lessons can be taught in a single class period, over several days, or in five- to 10-minute increments.
Each unit contains:
- Lessons with a class reading and/or short animation
- Interactive class discussion prompts
- Enrichment activities
- Glossary and resources
included media:
- Digital book: Trees Are Never Lonely
- Short film: It’s A Dog’s Day (K–2, 10 minutes)
Mow Wow is California Standards Compliant.
Mow Wow Animals was created by Carole Hyde with support from Project HumaneKind. Lesson content by Teri Baldini, Leonor Delgado, Pamela Holway, Carole Hyde, Elliot Soper, and Susan Weisberg. Creative consulting by Susanna Michaels. Translations by Leonor Delgado. Illustrations by Briscoe Pelkey.
Mow wow Educational Materials
Trees Are Never Lonely
A Book for Children
Pre-K–5 Curriculum
Lessons in Humane Education
It’s a Dog’s Day Film
Teaching Compassion Through the Arts
Educational Programs
Pet Painters
Kids Paint Shelter Animals
Animals Galore!
Classroom Presentations
Kids & Kitties Too
Kids Read Books to Shelter Animals
Club Creature
Connecting Kids, Parents & Communities
Upper Grade Students
Special Projects
Pet Painters:
Project Humanekind partners with schools and community organizations to connect young people with shelter animals through the visual arts. Under the guidance of art teachers, they learn how to recognize the essence of another being, and their soulful paintings help promote the adoption of animals in local shelters. Through Pet Painters, students become humane advocates, empathizing with the animals they draw and paint. Contact: Info@ProjectHumaneKind.org.
Animals Galore:
Animals Galore! Is a program of classroom presentations tailored to your age group, organization, and schedule. Schedule a one-time classroom visit from experts on a variety of topics. Visits may include an animal companion. Appropriate for K–12. Contact: Info@ProjectHumaneKind.org.
Creating a Humane World:
Internships and Special Projects on Animal Welfare Issues
PAHS works with students from junior high school through college to create and advise on individual projects for college or community service on topics related to animal welfare and rights.
Past projects have included the creation of videos, written presentations and papers, and internships with local veterinary clinics. PAHS looks forward to discussing ideas with you for your project.
Kids and Kitties Too:
Young people read to shelter cats, learn about animal shelters, cats and how to care for them. This program is good for kids of all ages and great for shy readers.
- Typically takes place at Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority (SVACA) in Santa Clara the first and third Wednesday of each month from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Register for Kiddies to Kitties here.
- Spots are limited and please make sure to check the available cats and kittens before visiting the shelter.
- For more information or to schedule groups larger than 8 kids, contact francesca@svaca.com.
Club Creature:
Invite us to your classroom or club for an introduction in one-off or series presentations to caring for pets and interacting with neighborhood wildlife. Contact Info@ProjectHumaneKind.org.
- Ideal for after-school programs and clubs—or for the classroom.
- Tailored to school schedule and grade level.
- Great for K–5.
Animal Appreciation:
A Series of Discussion Sessions for Middle School Students
PAHS humane educators lead a series of three to four discussion sessions, usually one session per week, with middle school students who want to learn more about animals and participate in activities designed to prepare them for the skills they will need in high school. Within the framework of a team approach, students analyze data with a critical eye, develop debate strategies, and participate in debates as well as have the opportunity to meet PAHS animal ambassadors.
Upper Grade Student Programs:
Project HumaneKind has programs tailored to middle school, high school, and university student levels. Contact: Info@ProjectHumaneKind.org.
Learn About It!
We provide guided research for students individually or in groups in a variety of project formats (reports, interviews, online materials) on topics related to the well-being of animals.
Write About It/Talk About It!
Students interested in journalism will interview community change makers for a variety of journalistic platforms.
Community Learning and Service Learning Projects
Credits are available.
Mentorship - Guided Study